Design Management - Hong Kong delivery - MA
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Do you want to be a design thinker? Do you want to have an impact on non-traditional design roles? Is your goal to use a design strategy to transform businesses, cultures, and lives? Do you want to participate in the creation of the future economy? If your answer is yes, then you are looking at the right course for you!
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Blended Learning
- Award MA
- Start date January 2026
- Subject
- Location Hong Kong Continuous Professional Education Centre (HKCPE)
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Do you want to be a design thinker? Do you want to have an impact on non-traditional design roles? Is your goal to use a design strategy to transform businesses, cultures, and lives? Do you want to participate in the creation of the future economy? If your answer is yes, then you are looking at the right course for you!
The Master's in Design Management is ideal for both designers, creatives and business professionals to sharpen their strategic edge through expanding their design, business, and professional capabilities.
This course invites designers and non-designers to apply design thinking and business-language and create innovative and purposeful outcomes to global design challenges.
The postgraduate course is available as a work-based learning route, while you remain in full-time practice.
What's covered in this course?
MA Design Management will give you the in-depth knowledge and understanding of design management and interdisciplinary issues that design managers work with, such as business, marketing, technology, and art.
In this course, you will explore, develop and communicate the skills of design thinking, critical thinking and analysis, creativity, research, collaboration, reflection, and communication. You will acquire the skills and the confidence to manage and lead a project. Immersed in practice, you will learn how to be design managers who are innovating around the world.
You will be encouraged to push the boundaries of what is considered a norm, and to put forward new, improved, and holistic propositions that are innovative and purposeful. With a Master's in Design Management, you will be employable in a diverse range of fields, and you could also choose to pursue further research by conducting a PhD.
"Design managers are in demand across various sectors, not just in one or two specific industries. It's essential for students to gain diverse experience so they can choose a professional career path that suits them best and excel in their chosen field."
Sarampudi, M (2024) Alumnus
"Design Management is strongly aligned with our work with enterprises, focusing on using creative problem-solving methods to tackle complex business and social challenges."
Bek, P (2022) STEAMhouse
Why Choose Us?
- You will become part of a friendly, supportive and collaborative network with the opportunity to transform your personal skills, knowledge and experience in an engaging and highly rewarding environment.
- You'll instantly become part of the partnership’s community, and you will be supported by our highly experienced international staff from the UK and Hong Kong.
- You will be encouraged to participate in a range of design challenges, have the opportunity take part in exchanges, and go on study visits.
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Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
The course welcomes applicants from a wide range of design and non-design specialisms.
Qualifications
Applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of academic qualifications, awards, achievements and/or industry experience.
English Language
Work-based and international applicants who are based in countries where English is not the first language should note that this course requires a high standard of reading, writing, and listening skills; Part-time students are expected to have a minimum English standard of IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.5, in each of the listening, reading, writing, and speaking components, to address the expectations and challenges of Master's level 7 study.
Personal Statement
Applicants are required to write a short personal statement, to explain why they wish to join the course and how their goals, aspirations, skills and knowledge align.
Portfolio
A digital portfolio is not essential.
Applicants are welcome to include a digital portfolio, based on a small selection of your best work/experience, demonstrating what you are most proud of sharing and how this aligns with your skills and interests.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: MA
Starting: Jan 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Blended Learning
- 24 months (part time)
-
TBC
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: MA
Starting: Jan 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Blended Learning
- 24 months (part time)
-
TBC
Fees
HKD 96,000
Portfolio
We welcome digital portfolios, depending on prior experience. However, portfolios are optional and not an essential requirement for this course.
Applicants are welcome to include a digital portfolio, based on a small selection of your best work/experience, demonstrating what you are most proud of sharing and how these align with your personal skills and career interests.
Format:
- Please submit your work as one PDF, PowerPoint or Word Document.
- Aim to include approximately 5-10 pieces of work.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF, PowerPoint or Microsoft Word Document. (Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password).
Portfolio
We welcome digital portfolios, depending on prior experience. However, portfolios are optional and not an essential requirement for this course.
Applicants are welcome to include a digital portfolio, based on a small selection of your best work/experience, demonstrating what you are most proud of sharing and how these align with your personal skills and career interests.
Format:
- Please submit your work as one PDF, PowerPoint or Word Document.
- Aim to include approximately 5-10 pieces of work.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF, PowerPoint or Microsoft Word Document. (Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password).
Personal Statement
Applicants are required to write a short personal statement, to explain why they wish to join the course and how their goals, aspirations, skills and knowledge align.
Personal Statement
Applicants are required to write a short personal statement, to explain why they wish to join the course and how their goals, aspirations, skills and knowledge align.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
The module Design Research introduces you to Design Management. You learn the methods, tools, approaches of conducting a creative research in this field. You learn about various forms of research strategies, writing a literature review and its purpose, and methods for data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
The module, Design Strategy and Innovation, enables you to apply design thinking in creating new ideas. You examine the role of design and creativity in creating breakthrough innovations. The module bridges the languages of design and business. The curriculum enables you to apply design thinking for innovation, and evaluation of the return on investment. In this module you build strategies to establish design as a leading functional discipline.
In this module, you initiate your development plan, where you direct your learning by undertaking action research. You set yourself a goal and then make a plan on how you will achieve your goal. You begin by asking the questions, ‘where am I now?’, ‘where do I want to be?’, and ‘how do I get there?’. Your focus is beyond the Master’s. You evaluate your skills, knowledge, and learning style depending on where you see yourself in the foreseeable future, while identifying the gaps in your skills and experience. It is necessary that you strategise the way you will acquire the missing skills and knowledge while you are on the course.
The module, Global Perspectives, aims to broaden your thinking about the application and relevance of design management in various cultural contexts. This module introduces you to the different contexts in which Design Managers operate, the relationships they manage, the cross-cultural practices they have to navigate and their impact at a global level. You learn about successful practices of Design Managers from different parts of the world, and practices where they are positively impacting non-design sectors. As a result, you open your mind to different design cultures, design practices, and design attitudes.
The module, Leadership and Design Entrepreneurship, aims at embedding you in practice. The module introduces you to the multifaceted role of a design manager. You acquire project management and interpersonal skills whilst you work in a team on a live industry brief. You also have the opportunity to conduct an inquiry with industry which could be a work placement. On this module, you learn to manage client expectations and communicate with a diverse audience. You are expected to be an independent learner. As an independent learner you have to find opportunities to apply your knowledge to practice and show your leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. You will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise.
The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to Design Management, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
Please note that the order of modules may differ depending on course intake.
Download course specification
Download nowAn International Partnership with CPE Hong Kong and Birmingham City University.
This curated postgraduate course is based on a flexible, blended learning approach, which will engage students in a range of digital, online and in-person content and experiences.
The course learning experiences will include, pre-recorded video briefing sessions, group-based tasks, site visits, specialist guest lectures, seminars, workshops, including ‘live’ project briefings, reflective group critiques, and collaborative presentations, supported by industry.
Modules will be delivered in a friendly and professional setting. The modules will consider research and theory, relating to modern industry scenarios and practice.
The course modules encourage you to explore and critically analyse research, theory and practice, to build the confidence, skills and knowledge required within a challenging global business environment, enabling you to create a body of work which is a platform for your future career.
Our alumni include award-winning professionals, designers, curators, managers, entrepreneurs, Higher Education lecturers and professionals across a range of global organisations and sectors.
The course will be taught and assessed in English.
Overseas opportunities
There are opportunities for local and global student mobility, enabling students to participate in part-funded research trips, in support of the Major Project. The course offers the opportunity for students to explore exchange visits, involving collaborative activities, with the Master of Arts, Design Management UK course.
Trips and visits
Students are encouraged to participate in design challenges in collaboration with industry. Field trips and visits include engaging with local organisations in support of research and analysis activity for modules.
Employability
Students who graduate from this Master of Arts course go on to work in design, leadership and strategic roles in a range of global/local organisations, students form businesses and entrepreneurial projects. Former students have also explored further research and PhD opportunities.
Enhancing employability skills
This postgraduate course has a strong commitment to providing the skills and knowledge to create highly employable graduates, on higher salaries, based in today’s highly competitive, global market.
The course aims to transform students to develop professional and interpersonal and leadership skills, knowledge of research at postgraduate level 7, whilst exploring how the role of design can be used to provide strategic and creative responses and opportunities to contemporary design themes and global challenges.
You will be encouraged to develop an analytical, critical and visual narrative, to form effective storytelling to a range of audiences.
This experience will explore and identify professional development and leadership opportunities for self-discovery, relationship building, and discussion with stakeholders and industry, to build confidence, whilst aligning with the collaborative nature of industry and practice.
You will learn of range of skills which will be key to enhancing your future employability.
You will also learn the following:
- To explore and identify the relationship of models and theory to practice and how this can be used to develop your own individual identity.
- Negotiate, plan exhibit and present to a professional standard.
- Work independently and collaboratively as reflected in industry
- Be a self-motivated, organised, effective learner.
You may be involved in developing additional skills such as CV writing; the use of social media and other platforms for self-promotion, presenting yourself and your work in a professional framework. This may include using a range of appropriate communication skills, such as video and various types of presentation software to a range of audiences.
Postgraduate students continue to work as practitioners while going on to further study. To be able to do this requires confidence, resourcefulness, flexibility and the ability to respond to, and create opportunity.
Opportunities for further study
With a Master of Arts in Design Management, you will be employable in a diverse range of fields, and you could also choose to pursue further research by conducting a PhD.
Links to industry
This Transnational Education partnership has a range of links with partner organisations regionally, nationally and internationally.
These partnerships will provide work experience opportunities for you and contribute to your learning and teaching activities.
Our overseas partnerships often result in opportunities for you to mix with students from different countries and gain different perspectives, as well as opportunities to undertake a period of study overseas.
Facilities & Staff
Our staff
Nicholas Irvin
Senior Lecturer
Nick is a senior lecturer and has experience of writing and managing courses, whilst teaching across a range of modules and courses within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, at Birmingham City University.
More about NicholasDr Mersha Aftab
MA Design Management Course Director
Mersha believed that most effective teaching happens when students have space, which allows them to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from their mistakes. By creating collaborative and interactive sessions that are similar to working outside of academia, with industry projects and live case studies, her sessions give students critical...
More about MershaNuno Lourinho
Senior Lecturer / Course Director
As an independent designer, Nuno embraced an academic career in Portugal and the United Kingdom. He has showcased his work at design fairs in both Milan and Barcelona representing Portuguese design.
More about Nuno